Observed on October 29 every year, the International Day of Care and Support draws attention to the efforts, challenges, and vital role of caregivers across the world. Care work includes both paid and unpaid labor that supports individuals, families, and entire communities through acts of service, such as raising children, assisting the elderly, helping persons with disabilities, or providing healthcare and emotional support. Despite being a lifeline for social and economic systems, care work continues to receive inadequate recognition and investment.

Women account for the vast majority of unpaid caregivers, performing nearly three-fourths of all unpaid care globally. If calculated in economic terms, this unpaid contribution would equal trillions of dollars annually, an amount almost invisible in national budgets. The imbalance in sharing care responsibilities restricts women’s capacity to pursue full-time careers, engage in public life, or achieve financial independence. This gender gap reinforces existing inequalities within households and the broader labor market.

Care workers who are formally employed often encounter low pay, job insecurity, and stressful working conditions. Despite being the backbone of essential services such as healthcare, childcare, and eldercare, they are underprotected by labor laws and undervalued economically. Many also face social stigma, as caregiving is still wrongly seen as unskilled ‘women’s work.’ This perception diminishes the respect and support they deserve while ignoring the emotional, physical, and technical expertise care work requires.

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically exposed the centrality of care work. As hospitals overflowed and communities turned inward, caregivers, both professional and informal, became frontline heroes holding society together. Yet, the crisis also magnified systemic failures: low wages, insufficient safety nets, and burnout among care workers. It reminded governments and institutions that building resilient societies requires investing in robust health, education, and social support infrastructure.

The International Day of Care and Support serves as a crucial reminder to honor and empower those who provide care. The day’s objectives include recognizing care as essential work, ensuring decent labor conditions, promoting gender equality, and creating inclusive public policies that redistribute care responsibilities between men and women. By valuing caregiving as a shared social responsibility rather than a private burden, societies can progress toward fairness and sustainability.

Transforming care systems calls for a multidimensional approach: increasing public expenditure, ensuring fair compensation for care workers, introducing paid family leave, and providing accessible child and elder care facilities. Encouraging male participation in caregiving and implementing laws that protect workers from exploitation will help achieve true equality. Investing in the care economy is not charity, it yields economic growth, social well-being, and resilience against future crises.

As the world celebrates this day, communities and organizations are encouraged to host public discussions, workshops, and campaigns that shed light on the realities of care work. Recognizing and valuing the invisible foundation of care ensures that no caregiver is left unsupported. In essence, care work is not just an act of compassion, it is the core that keeps humanity functioning, thriving, and interconnected. A truly inclusive and prosperous world will be one that honors and strengthens its caregivers.

References

International Labour Organization. (2022). Care work and care jobs for the future of decent work. https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/care-work/lang–en/index.htm

United Nations. (2024). International Day of Care and Support 2024. https://www.un.org/en/observances/care-and-support-day

World Health Organization. (2024). The value of care work. https://www.who.int/news/item/28-10-2024-2024-international-care-day

International Trade Union Confederation. (2024). International Day for Care and Support: Time for gender equality. https://www.ituc-csi.org/care

Carers Worldwide. (2023). The International Day Of Care And Support. https://carersworldwide.org/carers-day

Author: Rishabh Kandpal, Research Associate, Development Solutions